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• Eddie Campbell Jr., Monongalia: $209,250
• Ryan Saxe, Berkeley: $198,000
• Kimberly Miller, Ohio: $191,532

These three top earners are the same as the 2023-24 school year, although two have switched places. In the 2023-24 school year, Ohio County had the second-highest paid superintendent and Berkeley County had the third-highest. All these counties border other states, potentially reflecting competitive pressures in neighboring labor markets.

Top 5 superintendent salaries:

• Monongalia ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $209,250
• Berkeley ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $198,000
• Ohio ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $191,532
• Putnam ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $187,001
• Cabell ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $180,000

Lowest 5 superintendent salaries:

• Calhoun ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $103,000
• Barbour ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $105,000
• Clay ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $106,000
• Roane ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $108,000
• Wirt ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥” $108,402

Regional comparisons

When compared to neighboring states, West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s superintendent salaries are generally lower at the top end, but the stateÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s average and median salaries now exceed those in Ohio. In the 2024ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥“25 school year, Ohio superintendents earned an average of $131,567 and a median of $130,000, compared to West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s $137,838 and $133,000, respectively. Both states saw increases over the previous year, but OhioÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s growth in average and median salary slightly outpaced West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s.

Ohio counties that border West Virginia also have average superintendent salaries ranging from $103,711 to $135,040.

Salary growth trends

Salaries in West Virginia are rising across the board. From 2023ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥“24 to 2024ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥“25, the average superintendent salary increased by $3,801, and the median rose by $3,000. Notably, both the highest and lowest salaries in the state increased, indicating a broad upward trend.

Salary disparities reflect a range of local factors. Christy Day, communications director for the West Virginia Board of Education, explained:

ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥œCounty superintendent salaries are a local decision and are based on various factors within the district. These factors include county size, experience/education level and tenure of the superintendent, fiscal resources available, existence of excess levies and other factors.ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥�

Day also noted that cross-state comparisons are complicated by differences in how districts are defined and governed. For example, West Virginia has county-based school systems, while Ohio has 611 school districts spread across 88 counties, often with smaller district sizes and different funding structures.

Looking ahead

While West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s superintendent salaries are rising and now surpass OhioÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s averages, the state still faces challenges in remaining competitive with larger and wealthier neighboring districts, especially at the top end of the pay scale. However, continued increased growth, such as with Kanawha CountyÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s incoming superintendent, Paula Potter, who is set to earn $180,000 for the 2025ÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥“26 school year according to the county Board of Education, may signal continued upward movement in superintendent compensation.

As local and regional factors continue to shape compensation, the question remains: Is salary growth keeping pace with the demands of recruiting and retaining top educational leaders?

All 55 counties

Here is the complete list of 2024-25 salaries for all 55 of West VirginiaÃÛÁÄÖ±²¥™s public school districts:

1. Monongalia: $209,250
2. Berkeley: $198,000
3. Ohio: $191,532
4. Putnam: $187,001
5. Cabell: $180,000
6. Jefferson: $178,000
7. Kanawha: $165,000
8. Mercer: $161,700
9. Marion: $160,523
10. Jackson: $157,095
11. Harrison: $155,000
12. Pleasants: $151,250
13. Wood: $150,000
14. Marshall: $147,240
15. Wetzel: $146,500
16. Raleigh: $144,200
17. Fayette: $144,000
18. Nicholas: $144,000
19. Logan: $140,720
20. Ritchie: $140,000
21. Upshur: $140,000
22. Greenbrier: $138,000
23. Mineral: $137,917
24. Brooke: 137, 842
25. Doddridge: $135,000
26. Morgan: $135,000
27. Pendleton: $135,000
28. Tyler: $131,000
29. Wayne: $130,401
30. Braxton: $130,000
31. Hancock: $130,000
32. McDowell: $130,000
33. Hampshire: $129,227
34. Lincoln: $128,210
35. Wyoming: $128,000
36. Mason: $127,500
37. Mingo: $127,500
38. Preston: $126,000
39. Hardy: $125,175
40. Monroe: $121,759
41. Lewis: $121,566
42. Pocahontas: $120,200
43. Boone: $120,000
44. Randolph: $120,000
45. Taylor: $119,850
46. Grant: $119,705
47. Summers: $115,000
48. Gilmer: $113,000
49. Webster: $110,000
50. Tucker: $109,000
51. Wirt: $108,402
52. Roane: $108,000
53. Clay: $106,000
54. Barbour: $105,000
55. Calhoun: $103,000